Patent EP-0778504-A1 (EP)
Inventor: PHILLIPS QUINTIN T
IPC: G03G15/08
Filed: 1996-07-26
Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing toner (2) in an electrophotographic printing system (300) includes a housing (3) for containing a supply of toner and toner filled containers (4a, 4b) for replenishing the supply of toner. The housing (3) has a sidewall (13), a top having an opening (34), and a bottom having an opening (33). A top cover (7) is attached to the housing (3) to close the top opening (34) of the housing (3). A housing toner seal (31) is attached to the housing (3) to close the bottom opening (33) of the housing (3). Toner is allowed to flow to a developer assembly (82) in the electrophotographic printing system (300) by removal of the housing toner seal (31). The top cover (7) includes at least one of pair of locking ridges (11a, 11b), a pair of inner flanges (12a, 12b), and a weakened seam (8) which bisects the top cover (7). The containers (4a, 4b) for replenishing the supply of toner include a top having an opening (36), a bottom having an opening (35), and a sidewall (16). The bottom of the container is dimensioned so that it can be inserted through the opening (34) in the top (7) of the housing (3) and the opening (36) in the top of another substantially identical container (4a, 4b). A top seal (14) is attached to the container (4a, 4b) to close the opening (34) in the top. The top seal (14) includes a perforation (24) for enabling rupturing of the top seal (14). A toner dam seal (15) is attached to the container (4a, 4b) to close the bottom opening (35). In the preferred emobidment, the toner dam seal (15) includes a length of flexible material (25) for use in removal of the toner dam seal. In an alternative embodiment, cutting blades (38, 39) are attached to the interior of the sidewalls (16, 13) of both the housing (3) and the container (4a, 4b) for cutting the toner dam seal (15) upon installation of the container (4a, 4b) into the housing (3) or into a previously installed container (4a, 4b). 
     Replenishment of the toner supply in the apparatus for dispensing toner (2) is accomplished by forcing the container (4a, 4b) into the top cover (7) of the housing (3), resulting in the top cover (7) splitting at the weakened seam (8). As the container (4a, 4b) is forced into the housing (3), the parts of the top cover (7) bend into the housing (3) and are forced against the interior of the sidewall (13) of the housing (3). The container (4a, 4b) seats against the pair of inner flanges (12a, 12b) and is held in place by one pair of the pairs of locking ridges (11a, 11b). In the preferred embodiment, removal of the toner dam seal (15) is accomplished by firmly pulling the length of flexible material (25), thereby pulling the toner dam seal (15) away from the opening (35) in the bottom of the container (4a, 4b). Subsequently installed containers (4a, 4b) for replenishment of the toner supply are inserted inside the container (4a, 4b) previously installed inside the housing (3) by forcing the container (4a, 4b) onto the top seal (14) of the container (4a) previously installed, rupturing the top seal (14) at the perforation (24), and seating the container (4b) in the housing (3).